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Thursday, July 6, 2017

From the City of Mesa:Scorching high temps have been tough on plants. In case you missed it, see our special news alert we sent out in mid June about preparing your landscape for summer's sizzle. It's looking hopeful that monsoon clouds and increased humidity is moving in - making it much easier on plants.Shop for a rain gauge if you don't have one (or empty the dust out if you do) as monsoon storms are localized. Turn your irrigation off if you get at least 1/2" of rain. See our tips below to learn about grass removal and rainwater harvesting - both will save you water and money!These recommendations are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years).Lawn wateringSummer grass (Bermuda) - once every 3 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) – grass dies outIf trees and shrubs are on the same valveDesert Adapted - once every 14 daysHigh Water Use - once every 7 daysTree wateringDesert Adapted - once every 16 daysHigh Water Use - once every 8 daysShrub wateringDesert Adapted - once every 12 daysHigh Water Use - once every 5 daysGroundcover and vine wateringDesert Adapted - once every 12 daysHigh Water Use - once every 4 daysCacti and succulent watering - once every 21 daysAnnual & vegetable watering - once every 2-3 daysNote: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.Sign up for their newsletter (and watering reminder) at the city's eNotifications page.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

From the City of Mesa:Lawn wateringSummer grass (Bermuda) - once every 3 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) – grass dies outIf trees and shrubs are on the same valveDesert Adapted - once every 14 daysHigh Water Use - once every 7 daysTree wateringDesert Adapted - once every 16 daysHigh Water Use - once every 8 daysShrub wateringDesert Adapted - once every 12 daysHigh Water Use - once every 5 daysGroundcover and vine wateringDesert Adapted - once every 12 daysHigh Water Use - once every 4 daysCacti and succulent watering - once every 21 daysAnnual & vegetable watering - once every 1-3 daysNote: These recommendations are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years) and are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

From the City of Mesa:Mid-May through October is considered our summer season. Bermuda grass and many landscape plants may look a little stressed as they transition from our spring to summer temperatures.Humidity levels are low and there are lots of windy days. What this means for plants is a lot of moisture gets lost from the soil surface and through the leaves. Make sure you are giving plants a good drink of water, especially during or after a dry, windy day (don’t use sprinklers during windy days).Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years).Lawn wateringSummer grass (Bermuda) – once every 4-5 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) – once every 3 daysIf trees and shrubs are on the same valveDesert Adapted – once every 17 daysHigh Water Use – once every 8 daysTree wateringDesert Adapted – once every 20 daysHigh Water Use – once every 10 daysShrub wateringDesert Adapted – once every 14 daysHigh Water Use – once every 6 daysGroundcover and vine wateringDesert Adapted – once every 14 daysHigh Water Use – once every 6 daysCacti and succulent watering – once every 24 daysAnnuals watering – once every 3-4 daysNote: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

From the City of Mesa:
Looks like we’ll be getting typical April weather, at least for the near future, with upper 80’s to low 90’s and creeping up later in the month. April through June is typically our drier period with low humidity and little chance of rain as temperatures warm up. It is a critical time to be providing irrigation as many plants are flushing out with new growth.

Lawn wateringSummer grass (Bermuda) - once every 7 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) - once every 4 days

If trees and shrubs are on the same valveDesert Adapted – once every 20 daysHigh Water Use – once every 10 daysTree wateringDesert Adapted – once every 24 daysHigh Water Use – once every 12 days

Shrub wateringDesert Adapted – once every 16 daysHigh Water Use – once every 8 daysGroundcover and vine wateringDesert Adapted – once every 16 daysHigh Water Use – once every 8 daysCacti and succulent watering - once every 28 days Annuals watering - once every 4 days Wildflower watering - once every 7 daysNote: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

From the City of Mesa:A series of storms brought most areas a half-inch of rain or more on Tuesday. This is perfect weather for March since it is a transitional month when warm days will nudge Bermuda grass and other cold-sensitive plants out of dormancy. Having moisture available when new growth is emerging is important for a healthy start before heat sets in, and with the rains, you don’t need to provide the moisture with your irrigation system.Many desert trees (such as mesquites, palo verdes and lysilomas) may look sparse, but it's normal! They will drop their leaves and leaf out with beautiful, fresh green leaves soon (see photo below). It is not due to a watering issue.Lawn wateringDormant summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 14 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) - once every 7 daysIf trees and shrubs are on the same valveDesert Adapted – once every 25 daysHigh Water Use – once every 12 daysTree wateringDesert Adapted – once every 30 daysHigh Water Use – once every 14 daysShrub wateringDesert Adapted – once every 21 daysHigh Water Use – once every 10 daysGroundcover and vine wateringDesert Adapted – once every 21 daysHigh Water Use – once every 10 daysCacti and succulent watering – once every 28 daysAnnual and vegetable watering – once every 5-6 daysNative wildflowers – once every 10 daysSign up for the City of Mesa newsletter and Living Green Events newsletter at the eNotifications page

Monday, February 13, 2017

From the City of Mesa:Recent conditions have been unseasonably warm – a little more typical for March. However, the 70- to 80-degree temps are perfect for some irrigation repairs or upgrades. For trees, moving emitters out to the drip line as they grow or adding more emitters is a good idea. It's also a perfect time to check emitters to ensure that they are working properly and that you don't have any leaks in the system. When you're testing the irrigation, you'll be giving added moisture to your plants. Get the Irrigation Maintenance Checklist [PDF].Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about two years).Lawn wateringSummer grass (Bermuda) - once every 21 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) – once every 7-9 daysIf trees and shrubs are on the same valveDesert Adapted - once every 28 daysHigh Water Use - once every 12 daysTree wateringDesert Adapted - once every 36 daysHigh Water Use - once every 14 daysShrub wateringDesert Adapted - once every 21 daysHigh Water Use - once every 10 daysGroundcover and vine wateringDesert Adapted - once every 21 daysHigh Water Use - once every 10 daysCacti and succulent watering – once every 28 daysAnnuals watering - once every 6-9 daysWildflower watering – once every 9-12 daysNote: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Residents are encouraged to bring in their household
hazardous waste, electronics and appliances to this free event.Collected material will be recycled or
disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.More information

**TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Decatur St. will be temporarily
closed. Event traffic should enter through Adobe St. via northbound Power Rd.
Access to Adobe St. from southbound Power Rd. will be restricted.

December watering reminder from the City of Mesa:Because December is cool and day length is short, plant water usage is at its lowest point. Learn in our Water – Use It Wisely news, Ten Tips for Winter Watering.Our typical first frost is around Dec. 12. If you want to be prepared for a cold snap, learn how to protect your plants from frost in a University of Arizona publication. For frost warning advisories, visit the National Weather Service Phoenix Web site and click on "Read watches, warnings and advisories." Keep in mind that plants that are not water stressed tolerate frost better.Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years).Lawn wateringSummer grass (dormant Bermuda) - once every 30 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) - once every 10-14 days.If trees and shrubs are on the same valveDesert Adapted - once every 35 daysHigh Water Use - once every 18 daysTree wateringDesert Adapted - once every 45 daysHigh Water Use - once every 21 daysShrub wateringDesert Adapted - once every 30 daysHigh Water Use - once every 14 daysGroundcover and vine wateringDesert Adapted - once every 28 daysHigh Water Use - once every 14 daysCacti and succulent watering - if neededAnnuals watering - once every 7-10 daysWildflower watering - once every 10-15 days (if no rain)Note: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.Sign up for this newsletter at our eNotifications Page

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

From the City of Mesa:In the City of Mesa’s efforts to better communicate with its residents, the City’s Office of Public Information and Communications is conducting a brief survey to find out how you as a Mesa resident access and/or receive City information as well as how you would prefer to access/receive City information. The survey results will help improve and expand efforts to communicate with City residents, therefore your feedback is important. The survey link below will be live through October 31st. Thank you in advance for your valuable time and feedback https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RC2R363

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

From the City of Mesa:Post Date: 10/18/2016 3:22 PMMore than 2,500 volunteers, the majority of them Boy Scouts, will be getting dirty to help our community. They are participating in a variety of projects across the City of Mesa Saturday, Oct. 22 as part of National Make a Difference Day. Residents, neighborhood groups, local businesses, service organizations, church groups and City of Mesa employees have registered to volunteer for an assortment of Love Your Block community projects. Examples include distributing neighborhood resource bags, painting walls, cleaning up illegal dumping, reporting graffiti, painting homes and doing yard work for residents in need. As part of Mesa Scouting Day of Service, happening on Make a Difference Day, members of the Boy Scouts of America Grand Canyon Council-Mesa District of will also be working on service projects. Examples include painting curb numbers, distributing recycling information and helping Mesa Public Schools. National Make a Difference Day is the most encompassing day of helping others. Held annually on the fourth Saturday of October, millions of Americans are rallied into a single day of action to help change the world. For more information on opportunities to volunteer throughout the year please visit www.mesaaz.gov/Volunteer.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

The City of Mesa is hosting a hazardous waste collection this coming Saturday. Details:Date: 10/15/2016 8:00 AM - 12:00 PMLocation: East Mesa Service Center6935 E. Decatur St.Mesa, Arizona 85207Residents are encouraged to bring in their household hazardous waste, electronics and appliances to this free event. Collected material will be recycled or disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. More information**TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Decatur St. will be temporarily closed. Event traffic should enter through Adobe St. via northbound Power Rd. Access to Adobe St. from southbound Power Rd. will be restricted.

Friday, October 7, 2016

October watering reminder from the City of Mesa:October started with a great rain last Sunday for most areas of the Valley and temps are running in the ‘cool’ 90’s. If you haven’t adjusted your clock in a while, now is the time to do so. Water needs for plants are about half as much as they were in June. Check out these step-by-step instructions to reprogram your timer to the watering schedule suggested below.Fall is such a great time to plant, (see bonus tips below about plant sales and more). It’s a great time to sow your Sonoran Desert wildflower seeds for spring bloom. Call us at 480-644-3306 or email us for a free seed packet!Lawn watering:Summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 6 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) – 4x per day for 1st 7 to 10 days to germinate, then once every 3 daysIf trees and shrubs are on the same valve:Desert Adapted - once every 21 daysHigh Water Use - once every 10 daysTree watering:Desert Adapted - once every 24 daysHigh Water Use - once every 12 daysShrub watering:Desert Adapted - once every 18 daysHigh Water Use - once every 9 daysGroundcover and vine watering:Desert Adapted - once every 18 daysHigh Water Use - once every 8 daysCacti and succulent watering - once every 28 daysAnnuals watering - once every 4-5 daysWildflower watering – once every 1-2 days to germinate, then once every 7-10 daysNote: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.Sign up for this newsletter at our eNotifications Page

Friday, September 2, 2016

Watering reminder from the City of Mesa:Remember that the September 30 is the ‘official’ end of the Monsoon Season, so there’s still hope for more summer rains. September is also when activities BEGIN for seeding winter rye grass (we suggest not doing so until October). And, once again, we encourage all water customers to consider limiting, or forgoing, this practice. Check out our Top 10 Reasons Not to Plant a Winter Lawn.These recommendations are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years).Lawn watering:Summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 4 or 5 daysOverseeded cool season grass (rye) – 4x per day for 1st 7 to 10 days to germinate (October is a better time to seed)If trees and shrubs are on the same valve:Desert Adapted - once every 18 daysHigh Water Use - once every 9 daysTree watering:Desert Adapted - once every 21 daysHigh Water Use - once every 10 daysShrub watering:Desert Adapted - once every 16 daysHigh Water Use - once every 7 daysGroundcover and vine watering:Desert Adapted - once every 16 daysHigh Water Use - once every 5-6 daysCacti and succulent watering - once every 28 daysAnnuals watering - once every 3-4 daysNote: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.See more information at http://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/water-conservationYou can sign up for notifications from the City of Mesa http://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/enotifications

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Welcome to the BLOG

After an on-going discussion with my family and neighbors I decided it would be nice to have a place where we could post thoughts, ideas, and helpful hints.

Since I am LDS, I thought it would be advantageous to reference the Provident Living website as often as possible. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has done a wonderful job in putting together a really helpful and useful site.

You will see my posts as Flat Tail Chef, this is the Mountain Man name given to me by my fellow Rendezvous staffers. So don't be surprised if my posts lean toward dutch oven cooking and that sort of thing.